Review of Frozen River (2008) by Snotchocheez — 27 Apr 2009
Courtney Hunt's debut feature is a well written, confidently directed film that is the perfect film (along with Wendy and Lucy) for our harsh economic climate. Hunt has a keen eye for details, and a sure sense of the abject poverty in which her characters live.
She is also strong at building suspense, not only in conventional ways, but also by making us aware of the desperation faced by the two single mothers at the film's centre, and the drastic measures they have to undertake to make ends meet.
Melissa Leo's performance as Ray is near perfect, and superbly measured. She's fragile and heartbroken, but able to put on a faux toughness when she needs it. She is also somewhat bigoted, a feature that Hunt wisely does not whitewash.
By taking us so intimately into the character's lives and unlikely situation, Hunt manages to ultimately draw great pathos from the crucial decision Ray has to make at the film's end. The film, like its title, is ultimately cold and harsh, but also bracing and reassuring.
This review of Frozen River (2008) was written by Snotchocheez on 27 Apr 2009.
Frozen River has generally received positive reviews.
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